Jude Bellingham’s goals may have dried up but new stats have reaffirmed his importance to Real Madrid.
The England international was his side’s top performer last season as Los Blancos secured a La Liga and Champions League double.
Bellingham netted 19 times in the league during his debut campaign and 24 goals overall, including in each of his first four Champions League games.
An early-season injury to Vinicius Junior saw Bellingham take on the mantle of carrying the La Liga giants and his success in doing so saw his career and profile elevate tenfold.
As a whole, his first season at the club could not have gone any better, and following a handful of standout moments at Euro 2024, the 21-year-old was expected to reach even greater heights this season.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti also played a key role in the midfielder’s stellar campaign, adopting a tactical approach that brought the best out of the Englishman.
On the surface, Bellingham has been unable to replicate last season’s goalscoring exploits.
At this stage last season, the ex-Birmingham City star had netted 14 times across all competitions including an incredible El Clasico double in the 2-1 win at rivals Barcelona.
While the hype of a year ago appears to have simmered around the Three Lions midfielder, stats show that Bellingham’s importance to the Real Madrid cause is as crucial as ever.
In contrast to last season’s exploits, Bellingham has stood out for his defensive work this term, leading all Real Madrid players in the 2024-25 edition for duels won (20), tackles (8) and high-intensity pressures (169).
Bellingham has always stood out for his accomplished finishing, however it now appears the star is making up for a lack of goals with pressing and tenacity.
Kylian Mbappe’s arrival could be the reason why Bellingham has been less prolific, with the former Paris Saint-Germain star now occupying forward areas.
Bellingham could do nothing to prevent Barcelona running riot at the Bernabeu last weekend[/caption]
That has seen Bellingham take up both a slightly deeper and wider role while Mbappe is tasked with tormenting defenders with his quick movement across all parts of Madrid’s front line.
While the England star appears to have taken a backseat to the Frenchman, his role remains critical alongside the energetic Fede Valverde in providing Mbappe with the ammunition needed for his eight goals this season.
Unfortunately, for Bellingham his supposed downturn in front of goal has seen him quickly become the target of the Spanish press.
But according to Marca, his woes are not entirely down to his form, hinting that Ancelotti’s management of him is a factor.
Following last weekend’s El Clasico mauling at the hands of Barcelona, Marca were damning in their assessment, writing: “Bellingham is a shadow of the player who burst onto the scene last season at The Bernabeu.”
“And the fault lies not with him, but with the way he is being managed,” the piece continued. “Every day he plays in a position that is not his and the boy, although he gives his all, does not shine.
“Playing close to the right flank, playing as a full-back for many minutes, is a joke in bad taste that Ancelotti must correct immediately.
“The fact that a player who last year scored almost 20 goals has not scored any when we are almost in November is something that deserves serious analysis.”
Bellingham and co will have to wait a little longer to lay the ghost of El Clasico to rest after this weekend’s trip to Valencia was cancelled after the deadly flash floods that devastated the city this week.
Madrid welcomes AC Milan to the Spanish capital next Tuesday in the Champions League.
